KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The UMKC men’s soccer team released a full 2017 schedule on Thursday that features 10 home contests at Durwood Soccer Stadium throughout the regular season after a pair of exhibition matches.

“This year’s schedule is the best we have had in the history of program,” shared head coach Rick Benben. “We start off with our annual crosstown exhibition against Rockhurst and continue into the regular season competing against powerhouse programs, including Rutgers, Northwestern and Memphis.”

The Roos will hit the road to face St. Louis for the opening tune-up game on Aug. 12, before wrapping up the preseason against neighboring Rockhurst on Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. CT.

UMKC will open the regular season on the road at Central Arkansas on Aug. 25. Following the season opener, the Roos will host Northwestern, Rutgers and Memphis for their longest and most difficult home stand of the year.

A trip north for a contest at Milwaukee awaits UMKC on Sept. 12 before the Roos return home to face Western Illinois and Missouri State in mid-September. UMKC will close its nonconference slate with a trip to Drake on Sept. 23.

“We have a fantastic home schedule and we are excited to have the opportunity to host 11 games at Durwood Stadium,” continued Benben. “Our conference schedule will continue to challenge us due to the competitive nature of WAC men’s soccer.”

The Roos will host UT Rio Grande Valley, Incarnate Word, Grand Canyon and UNLV at Durwood Stadium in Western Athletic Conference play. The away portion of the conference slate includes a three-game road stretch against Houston Baptist, Utah Valley and Seattle U, with another west coast swing at CSU Bakersfield and San Jose State in late October. The regular season will conclude for the Roos with a Saturday home matchup against Air Force on Nov. 4.

The WAC Tournament – that will now feature seven teams – is set to begin Nov. 9 at UNLV. UMKC will return 11 starters in the fall to a roster with three seniors – Chris Betancourt (Weston, Fla.), Eric McWoods (St. Louis, Mo.) and Eddie Howe (St. Louis, Mo.).